Many countries continue to expel Russian diplomats as part of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Italy has expelled 30 Russian diplomats for “national security” reasons, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said in Berlin on Tuesday.
“The decision taken by agreement with our European and Atlantic partners” was necessary for “reasons related to our national security, amid the crisis,” said Mr. Di Maio. present due to the unjustified aggression of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine”.
“Italy is ready to act as a guarantor of security and peace in Ukraine and we will do whatever is necessary to make this work.”
Spain is expelling “about 25 Russian diplomats and embassy staff who represent a threat to our country’s security interests”, said Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel. Albares said Tuesday at a press conference in Madrid.
The deportation also “follows the terrible actions of recent days in Ukraine, especially in Bucha,” Albares said, in reference to pictures of Ukrainian civilians killed in that town at close range.
The press office of the Spanish Foreign Ministry said those deported would have several days to prepare for departure. The press office added that the list does not include the Russian ambassador to Spain.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the Spanish Parliament by video link later on Tuesday.
Sweden has expelled three Russian diplomats for carrying out domestic intelligence activities in violation of diplomatic relations, Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said at a news conference in Stockholm on Tuesday, condemning the “crime”. war crimes of Russia” regarding footage from Bucha.
She added that Sweden wants “to see a fifth package of sanctions as soon as possible, aiming to go further when it comes to Russian fossil fuel exports.”
Several European countries – including France, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands – also decided to expel Russian diplomats. Denmark on Tuesday said it had expelled 15 Russian intelligence officers accused of being secret service diplomats.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a regular meeting on Tuesday.
CNN’s Li Lian Ahlskog Hou and Al Goodman contributed reporting to this post.
